China has expelled two of its highest-ranking military officers, including a member of the powerful Politburo, as President Xi Jinping intensifies his sweeping anti-corruption campaign targeting the armed forces.
Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), He Weidong, and the CMC’s former Political Commissar, Miao Hua, were removed from the Communist Party on Friday, alongside seven other senior military officials.
The Ministry of Defence said the purge followed “serious violations of party discipline” and “grave duty-related crimes involving exceptionally large sums of money.”
The move marks one of the most significant political shake-ups in China’s military since Mao Zedong’s era.
He Weidong’s dismissal is particularly striking he becomes the first Politburo member to be removed since former Chongqing party chief Sun Zhengcai was investigated in 2017, and the first uniformed vice military chair to be expelled since He Long in 1967.
Both He and Miao were accused of abusing their positions for personal gain, with the Defence Ministry stating their actions caused “extremely serious” damage to the integrity of China’s military.
The timing of the purge is politically significant.
It comes just days before the fourth plenum of the Communist Party, where top officials are expected to discuss leadership transitions and economic reforms in Beijing.
Since the start of Xi’s anti-graft campaign, dozens of senior PLA officers including two former defence ministers have been dismissed or arrested.
The latest round of expulsions is part of a broader cleanup that began with the investigation of the Rocket Force, China’s strategic missile unit, over corruption allegations linked to weakened operational capabilities.
According to Bloomberg, Xi has now purged nearly one-fifth of the generals he personally appointed, making it the largest military shake-up since the end of Mao’s rule in 1976.
He Weidong, last seen at the National People’s Congress closing ceremony in March, had been absent from several key public events, fueling speculation about his status.
His removal underscores growing concerns about loyalty and transparency within China’s highest military echelons.
Analysts expect replacements for He and Miao to be announced during next week’s party conclave, a move that could further consolidate Xi’s authority over the country’s military and political structu
